As creative professionals and enthusiasts know, finding the best laptop for drawing and animation is crucial to perfecting your craft. Whether you’re an established animator, an aspiring artist, or love creating digital art as a hobby, the right laptop can significantly impact your work.
In this digital age, traditional pen and paper have taken a back seat for many, and ‘drawing with a laptop’ has become the new norm. We’ve put five of the best laptops for art and animation through their paces in our lab, and we’re excited to share our findings.
From the casual doodler to the professional animator, these ‘laptops for drawing’ will cater to a wide spectrum of artistic needs and budgets. Join us as we delve into a comprehensive review of these impressive devices.
My Best Laptops:
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
New Dell XPS 15
PRazer Blade 17
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Acer Aspire 5
What is the best laptop for drawing and animation?
1.Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio: (best laptop for drawing and animation)
Product Short Specifications:
Operating System: Windows 11 Home | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD | Weight: 5.92 pounds | Battery Life: Up to 13.5 hours
Product About:
Artists and animators seeking the best laptop for drawing and animation should consider the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Powered by an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, this device is engineered to handle the most demanding creative tasks. This is undoubtedly among the best laptops for art and animation, with a sleek 14.4-inch touchscreen and a unique design that allows for seamless transitions between laptop, stage, and portable canvas modes.
The Surface Laptop Studio’s dynamic display comes to life with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels, offering true-to-life colors and smooth scrolling, thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. When paired with the Surface Slim Pen 2 (sold separately), the device provides an unmatched digital pen experience, closely mimicking the feel of a pen on paper.
Pros:
- Powerful performance backed by the Intel Core i7-11700 processor.
- High-quality graphics powered by the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti.
- A versatile 14.4-inch touchscreen is suitable for both drawing and animation.
- Exceptional pen experience with the Surface Slim Pen 2.
- High-resolution display offering a smooth and vibrant visual experience.
Cons:
- Lacks USB-A ports, only offering two USB-C ports.
- Slim Pen 2 is an additional purchase, adding to the overall cost.
Conclusion:
While the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio comes with a higher price tag and a few minor drawbacks, its powerful performance, incredible graphics, and impressive versatility more than makeup for it. This is a solid choice if you’re in the market for a laptop that can take your drawing and animation skills to new heights. After rigorous testing in our lab, the Surface Laptop Studio firmly places itself as a top contender in laptops for drawing.
2.New Dell XPS 15 9500: (best laptop for drawing and animation)
Product Short Specifications:
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Weight: 6 pounds
Product About:
When it comes to laptops for drawing, the New Dell XPS 15 9500 stands out. This laptop is an impressive powerhouse, boasting an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and an NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti graphics card, making it ideal for handling complex art and animation projects. Its generous 15.6-inch UHD+ touchscreen display offers an immersive, edge-to-edge view that’s sure to enhance your creative experience.
The XPS 15 9500’s display shines with a stunning 3840×2400 resolution and is packed with technologies like 100% Adobe RGB, 94% DCI-P3 color gamut, VESA-certified DisplayHDR 400, and Dolby Vision. These features bring out over 16 million ultra-vivid colors that are 40 times brighter than ever, a perfect feature for the best laptop for drawing and animation.
Pros:
- Remarkable performance with the Core i7-10750H processor and NVIDIA GTX 1650 Ti graphics.
- Vibrant, high-resolution 15.6-inch UHD+ touchscreen display.
- Advanced color technologies ensure true-to-life hues in every frame.
- Large 1TB SSD storage for smooth data access and ample storage.
- Integrated Eyesafe display technology to reduce harmful blue light.
Cons:
- Heavier than some other models at 6 pounds, impacting portability.
- Lacks an optical drive, limiting media accessibility.
Conclusion:
Despite minor setbacks, the New Dell XPS 15 9500 shines as an excellent option for artists and animators. Its potent performance and exceptional display technology make it a standout in the realm of laptops for art and animation. After extensive testing in our lab, the XPS 15 9500 proves itself to be an exceptional tool for bringing creative ideas to life.
3.Razer Blade Pro 17 Gaming Laptop: (best laptop for drawing and animation)
Product Short Specifications:
Operating System: Windows 10 | RAM: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Weight: 10.56 pounds
Product About:
Known for its gaming prowess, the Razer Blade Pro 17 also shows its mettle as one of the best laptops for drawing and animation. This laptop boasts an Intel Core i7-10875H processor coupled with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super graphics card. This impressive combination ensures a smooth, responsive experience for both gaming and animation work.
The Blade Pro 17 flaunts a 17.3-inch 4K UHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This vibrant screen delivers lifelike images and maximized screen size for detailed art and animation projects. The expansive 1TB SSD provides ample space for storing large animation files and projects.
Pros:
- Strong performance with an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 2080 Supergraphics.
- Spacious 17.3-inch 4K UHD display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
- Vast 1TB SSD storage, perfect for large animation projects.
- Advanced connectivity options, including USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5Gb Ethernet, UHS-III SD Card Reader, and Thunderbolt 3.
- Custom Vapor Chamber Cooling System ensures optimum performance even under heavy loads.
Cons:
- The unconventional keyboard layout may pose challenges for typing.
- Weighing 10.56 pounds, the laptop is relatively heavier, affecting portability.
Conclusion:
The Razer Blade Pro 17, while primarily a gaming laptop, offers potent features that make it an excellent option for animators. Despite minor drawbacks, its powerful performance and fantastic display technology position it well among the best laptops for art and animation. Our in-depth testing confirms that the Blade Pro 17 delivers an excellent experience for creative work.
4.Microsoft Surface Laptop 4: (best laptop for drawing and animation)
Product Short Specifications:
Operating System: Windows 10 Home | RAM: 16GB LPDDR4 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Weight: 2.89 pounds
Product About:
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 steps up as one of the best laptops for drawing and animation. This 13.5″ touchscreen laptop harbors an Intel Core i7 processor, enabling creators to seamlessly craft complex animations.
The Surface Laptop 4 offers an elegant, thin, and light design for artists who desire portability. Its 13.5″ screen size is excellent for artists who often work on the go. The laptop has a 2256 x 1504 pixels resolution, allowing precise detail and color in every animation frame.
Pros:
- The robust Intel Core i7 processor provides significant speed, beneficial for drawing and animation.
- A High-resolution touchscreen is perfect for intricate art and animation tasks.
- The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD combination supports multitasking and ample storage for large animation files.
- Dual far-field Studio Mics and Omnisonic Speakers backed by Dolby Atmos6 enhance online collaboration for animation projects.
- At 2.89 pounds, it’s lightweight, making it a portable option for animators.
Cons:
- The magnetic charger connection is easily disconnected, which can be an annoyance.
- Some users reported system glitches after a year and a half of usage.
Conclusion:
Despite the minor drawbacks, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 stands out among the best laptops for art and animation. Its performance, high-resolution touch screen, and light weight make it a compelling choice for animators and artists. Our lab testing confirms that its features allow for a seamless animation experience.
5.Acer Aspire 5: A Strong Choice for Animators and Artists
Product Short Specifications:
Operating System: Windows 11 | RAM: 8GB DDR4, expandable to 20GB | Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD | Weight: 3.63 pounds
Product About:
The Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-53S3, with its stellar specifications and strong performance, positions itself as one of the best laptops for drawing and animation. The laptop’s 15.6″ full HD IPS display pairs seamlessly with the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor to provide crisp visuals and smooth performance for complex designs.
Pros:
- The Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor delivers excellent performance, which is crucial for artists dealing with high-res animations.
- Animators can enjoy detailed and vibrant graphics with an IPS Widescreen LED-backlit display.
- 8GB DDR4 memory, expandable up to 20GB, ensures smooth multitasking, while a 256GB NVMe SSD allows for fast storage access.
- The Acer Aspire 5 has a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader, enhancing productivity and security.
- With up to 8.5 hours of battery life, artists can work uninterrupted on extensive projects.
Cons:
- The wireless network adapter could benefit from higher speeds.
- Some users reported the onboard speakers needed more quality.
Conclusion:
Despite minor cons, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-53S3 is a potent choice among the best laptops for art and animation. Its robust processor and high-resolution screen allow artists to produce intricate work easily. As confirmed in our lab test, it delivers a reliable performance that artists will surely appreciate. Artists looking for a reliable laptop for drawing and animation should consider the Acer Aspire 5 a strong contender.
Important factors to consider when the Best Laptop for Drawing and Animation:
Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a seasoned animator, having the right tools can make all the difference in your work. A top-quality laptop suited to your needs can be a game-changer. With that in mind, here’s our guide to help you navigate the process of buying the best laptop for drawing and animation.
Powerful Processor:
Animation software demands a lot of processing power. Therefore, go for a laptop with a potent processor. A laptop featuring an Intel Core i5 or i7 or an equivalent AMD processor should suffice for most art and animation tasks.
High-Resolution Display:
The quality of your laptop’s display will directly impact your drawing and animation work. A laptop with a full HD display (1920 x 1080) should be the minimum. However, 4K displays or Retina displays offer exceptional detail and color accuracy.
Sufficient RAM:
The best laptops for art and animation require a substantial amount of RAM. A minimum of 8GB RAM is recommended, but if you’re handling more complex projects, 16GB or more would provide smoother performance.
Storage:
Animation files can take up a significant amount of storage space. Opt for a laptop with a large SSD (Solid State Drive) over an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). SSDs are faster, more reliable, and provide quicker access to your saved work.
Graphics Card:
A dedicated graphics card is beneficial for 3D animation work. However, integrated graphics should be sufficient for 2D drawing and animation tasks.
Battery Life:
You might be working for long hours or on the go. In such cases, a laptop with strong battery life is crucial. Look for laptops that offer at least 8 hours of battery life.
Portability:
If you travel frequently or prefer to work in different locations, consider the size and weight of the laptop. Lightweight and compact laptops are easier to carry around.
Conclusion:
Finding the best laptop for drawing and animation depends on your specific needs and budget. Keep these factors in mind to make a well-informed decision and select a laptop that will serve you well in your artistic journey.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Laptops for Drawing and Animation
What makes a laptop suitable for drawing and animation?
A laptop ideal for drawing and animation typically features a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, a high-resolution display, substantial storage space (preferably SSD), and a solid graphics card. These components ensure smooth, lag-free performance when running art and animation software.
Can I use a standard laptop for animation, or do I need a specific model?
While you can technically use any laptop for animation, not all will deliver satisfactory performance. For smooth, efficient operation, it’s recommended to choose a model from the list of best laptops for art and animation designed to handle the processing power and graphics that animation software demands.
Does the screen size matter when choosing a laptop for drawing?
Screen size is a matter of personal preference, but it can affect your drawing experience. A larger screen offers more space to work and can display fine details better. However, if you prioritize portability, you might prefer a smaller, lighter laptop.
Is a laptop with a touchscreen necessary for drawing?
While not necessary, a touchscreen can be beneficial if you prefer drawing directly on the screen. Combined with a digital pen, it can mimic the feeling of drawing on paper. However, many professional artists use graphics tablets for their work, even with non-touchscreen laptops.
How much should I expect to spend on a laptop for drawing and animation?
The cost varies significantly depending on the specifications. Budget laptops for drawing start around $500, but you may need to invest $1000 or more for professional-grade animation work. Investing in one of the best laptops for drawing and animation can save you from performance issues in the long run.
Final Conclusion:
Choosing the best laptop for drawing and animation requires careful consideration. Whether you’re a professional animator or a budding artist, your chosen device should cater to your specific needs and deliver seamless performance.
Make sure to invest wisely in a laptop that ensures an optimal balance between power, graphics capabilities, and portability. Remember to consider user experience, as even the most powerful laptop can fall short if it’s not enjoyable.